8831731

Clinician programmer system and method for calculating volumes of activation

PublishedSeptember 9, 2014
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Patent Claims
21 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A method of a volume of activation (VOA) providing machine to provide a VOA of a stimulation electrode leadwire, comprising: calculating, by a processor of the machine, a VOA for each of a plurality of sets of parameter settings of the leadwire; storing in a database each of the calculated VOAs in association with the respective set of parameter settings for which it was calculated; obtaining a further set of parameter settings of the leadwire; determining, by the processor, a VOA that is different than the stored VOAs and that, based on the stored VOAs, is estimated to result from the obtained set of parameter settings; and outputting, by the machine, the determined VOA.

Plain English Translation

A machine provides the Volume of Activation (VOA) of a stimulation electrode leadwire. It calculates a VOA for multiple sets of parameter settings of the leadwire, and stores each calculated VOA in a database, linking it to its parameter settings. When a new set of parameter settings is received, the machine determines a VOA (different from those already stored), estimates it based on the stored VOAs, and outputs that determined VOA.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein: the further set of parameter settings includes a plurality of sets of parameter settings for a therapy that includes performing a stimulation using the plurality of sets in a sequence that is applied cyclically to the leadwire, different ones of the sets applied at different pulses of the cyclically applied sequence; the calculating of the VOA includes calculating a respective VOA for each of the obtained plurality of sets; and the outputting of the determined VOA includes playing back the plurality of calculated VOAs as a movie.

Plain English Translation

Building on the VOA-providing machine, the machine handles a sequence of parameter settings for a therapy applied cyclically to the leadwire, with different settings used at different pulses. It calculates a VOA for each set of parameters in the sequence and outputs the VOAs as a movie to show changes in activation over time.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein: the further set of parameter settings includes a plurality of sets of parameter settings for a therapy that includes performing a stimulation using the plurality of sets in a sequence; the calculating of the VOA includes calculating a respective VOA for each of the obtained plurality of sets; and the outputting of the determined VOA includes: displaying selectable components corresponding to the plurality of calculated VOAs according to the sequence; and in response to selection of one of the components, outputting the calculated VOA that corresponds to the selected component.

Plain English Translation

In the VOA-providing machine, a sequence of parameter settings is used for therapy. The machine calculates a VOA for each set of parameters in the sequence. The output displays selectable components corresponding to the calculated VOAs arranged according to the sequence. Selecting a component outputs the VOA that corresponds to the selected component, allowing users to examine individual activation volumes within the sequence.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the obtained set of parameter settings is different than all of the stored sets of the parameter settings.

Plain English Translation

Using the VOA-providing machine, the obtained parameter settings for which a VOA is needed are always different from all of the previously stored sets of parameter settings. This ensures the system can handle novel or previously unseen stimulation configurations.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the VOA for the obtained set of parameter settings includes determining which one or more of the stored sets of parameter settings are most similar to the obtained set of parameter settings, and selecting a VOA corresponding to the one or more stored sets of parameter settings.

Plain English Translation

In the VOA-providing machine, to determine the VOA for the new parameter settings, the machine finds the stored parameter settings that are most similar to the new settings. It then selects the VOA corresponding to those similar, stored parameter settings as the estimated VOA for the new settings.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the one or more stored sets of parameter settings includes a plurality of sets of parameter settings for which different VOAs were calculated, and the selection of the VOA includes constructing a new VOA based on features of the different VOAs.

Plain English Translation

Expanding on the previous VOA-providing machine, if multiple similar stored parameter settings are found (each with its own calculated VOA), the machine doesn't just pick one. Instead, it constructs a new VOA based on features extracted from the different, pre-calculated VOAs of those stored settings.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein: the calculating step includes, for each of at least one parameter setting, calculating a respective set of VOAs for a range of parameter values for the parameter setting, parameter values of other parameter settings of the set remaining the same for the calculation of the respective set of VOAs; the method further comprises, for the each of the at least one parameter, developing a relationship of a variance in a value of the parameter to a variance in a VOA; and the construction of the new VOA is performed based on one or more of the developed relationships.

Plain English Translation

With the VOA-providing machine and the new VOA construction, the machine pre-calculates VOAs for ranges of values for at least one parameter setting, keeping other parameters constant. It then develops a relationship that describes how changes in parameter values relate to changes in the VOA. Finally, it uses this relationship to construct the new VOA based on the specific values of the new parameter settings.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising: storing in the database the new VOA in association with its corresponding set of parameter settings.

Plain English Translation

Following the VOA-providing machine and its constructed VOA, after the new VOA has been created from existing VOAs and parameter relationships, the system stores the newly constructed VOA in the database, associating it with the corresponding set of parameter settings that led to its creation. This enriches the database for future estimations.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: developing a parameter set-to-VOA relationship based on the calculated VOAs, wherein the determination of the VOA for the obtained set of parameter settings is based on the developed relationship.

Plain English Translation

The VOA-providing machine develops a relationship describing how parameter settings affect the VOA, based on the pre-calculated VOAs in its database. When a new set of parameter settings is obtained, the machine uses this parameter-to-VOA relationship to directly determine the estimated VOA for the new settings, instead of just selecting a pre-calculated VOA.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sets of parameter settings and the further set of parameter settings differ from each other with respect to respective values set for a plurality of parameters of the leadwire, the plurality of parameters for which the values are specified being the same for all of the plurality of sets of parameter settings and the further set of parameter settings.

Plain English Translation

When using the VOA-providing machine, both the stored parameter settings and the new parameter settings all differ from each other by the specific values assigned to the same set of parameters of the leadwire. The type and number of parameters being adjusted is consistent across all sets; only the values change.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. A computer-implemented method to provide a volume of activation (VOA) of a stimulation electrode leadwire, comprising: storing in a database a plurality of VOAs, each in association with a respective set of parameter settings for which the respective VOA was previously calculated; obtaining a further set of parameter settings of the leadwire; determining, by the processor, a VOA for the obtained set of parameter settings that is based on and different than the stored VOAs; and outputting, by the processor, the determined VOA; wherein each set of parameter settings includes a setting for at least one of a leadwire location, an electrode location, a selection of one or more electrodes for activation, a stimulation current amplitude, a stimulation frequency, an impedance, and a pulse width.

Plain English Translation

A computer system provides the Volume of Activation (VOA) of a stimulation electrode leadwire. It stores VOAs in a database, each linked to its parameter settings. When a new set of parameter settings is received, the system determines a new VOA based on the stored VOAs (but is different), and outputs it. The parameter settings include leadwire location, electrode location, which electrodes are activated, stimulation current, stimulation frequency, impedance, and pulse width.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the outputting of the determined VOA includes displaying the VOA overlaid on a representation of brain tissue and a representation of the leadwire positioned in the representation of the brain tissue.

Plain English Translation

In the VOA-providing machine, when the estimated VOA is outputted, it is displayed overlaid on a visual representation of the brain tissue, and a representation of the leadwire's position within that brain tissue. This provides the user with a visual context for the stimulation and activation volume.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulation electrode leadwire provides a deep brain stimulation under the obtained set of parameter settings.

Plain English Translation

With the VOA-providing machine, the stimulation electrode leadwire is used to deliver deep brain stimulation based on the obtained set of parameter settings. This means the system is specifically designed for applications like treating Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, or other neurological disorders.

Claim 14

Original Legal Text

14. A system for providing a volume of activation (VOA) of a stimulation electrode leadwire, comprising: a memory device; a display device; and a processor configured to: calculate a VOA for each of a plurality of sets of parameter settings of the leadwire; store in the memory device each of the calculated VOAs in association with the respective set of parameter settings for which it was calculated; obtain a further set of parameter settings of the leadwire; determine a VOA that is different than the stored VOAs and that, based on the stored VOAs, is estimated to result from the obtained set of parameter settings; and display in the display device the determined VOA.

Plain English Translation

A system for providing the Volume of Activation (VOA) of a stimulation electrode leadwire has a memory, a display, and a processor. The processor calculates a VOA for multiple sets of parameter settings of the leadwire, stores each calculated VOA in memory (linked to its settings), obtains a new set of parameter settings, determines a new VOA based on the stored VOAs (but different), and displays that determined VOA.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein: the further set of parameter settings includes a plurality of sets of parameter settings for a therapy that includes performing a stimulation using the plurality of sets in a sequence that is applied cyclically to the leadwire, different ones of the sets applied at different pulses of the cyclically applied sequence; the calculation of the VOA includes calculating a respective VOA for each of the obtained plurality of sets; and the display of the determined VOA includes playing back the plurality of calculated VOAs as a movie.

Plain English Translation

Building on the VOA-providing system, the machine handles a sequence of parameter settings for a therapy applied cyclically to the leadwire, with different settings used at different pulses. It calculates a VOA for each set of parameters in the sequence and displays the VOAs as a movie to show changes in activation over time.

Claim 16

Original Legal Text

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the obtained set of parameter settings is different than all of the stored sets of the parameter settings.

Plain English Translation

Using the VOA-providing system, the obtained parameter settings for which a VOA is needed are always different from all of the previously stored sets of parameter settings. This ensures the system can handle novel or previously unseen stimulation configurations.

Claim 17

Original Legal Text

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the determination of the VOA for the obtained set of parameter settings includes determining which one or more of the stored sets of parameter settings are most similar to the obtained set of parameter settings, and selecting a VOA corresponding to the one or more stored sets of parameter settings.

Plain English Translation

In the VOA-providing system, to determine the VOA for the new parameter settings, the machine finds the stored parameter settings that are most similar to the new settings. It then selects the VOA corresponding to those similar, stored parameter settings as the estimated VOA for the new settings.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more stored sets of parameter settings includes a plurality of sets of parameter settings for which different VOAs were calculated, and the selection of the VOA includes constructing a new VOA based on features of the different VOAs.

Plain English Translation

Expanding on the previous VOA-providing system, if multiple similar stored parameter settings are found (each with its own calculated VOA), the machine doesn't just pick one. Instead, it constructs a new VOA based on features extracted from the different, pre-calculated VOAs of those stored settings.

Claim 19

Original Legal Text

19. The system of claim 14 , wherein: the calculation of the VOA includes, for each of at least one parameter setting, calculating a respective set of VOAs for a range of parameter values for the parameter setting, parameter values of other parameter settings of the set remaining the same for the calculation of the respective set of VOAs; the method further comprises, for the each of the at least one parameter, developing a relationship of a variance in a value of the parameter to a variance in a VOA; and the construction of the new VOA is performed based on one or more of the developed relationships.

Plain English Translation

With the VOA-providing system and the new VOA construction, the machine pre-calculates VOAs for ranges of values for at least one parameter setting, keeping other parameters constant. It then develops a relationship that describes how changes in parameter values relate to changes in the VOA. Finally, it uses this relationship to construct the new VOA based on the specific values of the new parameter settings.

Claim 20

Original Legal Text

20. The system of claim 14 , further comprising: developing a parameter set-to-VOA relationship based on the calculated VOAs, wherein the determination of the VOA for the obtained set of parameter settings is based on the developed relationship.

Plain English Translation

The VOA-providing system develops a relationship describing how parameter settings affect the VOA, based on the pre-calculated VOAs in its memory. When a new set of parameter settings is obtained, the machine uses this parameter-to-VOA relationship to directly determine the estimated VOA for the new settings, instead of just selecting a pre-calculated VOA.

Claim 21

Original Legal Text

21. A computer-implemented method to provide a volume of activation (VOA) of a stimulation electrode leadwire, comprising: storing in a database a plurality of VOAs, each in association with a respective set of parameter settings for which the respective VOA was previously calculated; obtaining a further set of parameter settings of the leadwire; determining, by the processor, for the obtained set of parameter settings, and based on the stored VOAs, a new VOA different than the stored VOAs; and outputting, by the processor, the determined new VOA.

Plain English Translation

A computer system provides the Volume of Activation (VOA) of a stimulation electrode leadwire. It stores VOAs in a database, each linked to its parameter settings. When a new set of parameter settings is received, the system determines a new VOA based on the stored VOAs (but is different), and outputs it.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

Unknown

Publication Date

September 9, 2014

Inventors

David Arthur BLUM
Keith CARLTON
Alan GRESZLER
Scott KOKONES
Troy SPARKS

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